Mass rape used as weapon of war in CAR

HUMAN Rights Watch yesterday accused armed groups in the Central African Republic of using rape and sexual slavery as a tactic of war across the country during nearly five years of conflict.

In a report, the rights group outlined how commanders have tolerated widespread sexual violence by their forces and in some cases appear to have ordered it or committed it themselves.

The organisation reported the cases of 305 women who were raped by members of Muslim Seleka and Christian anti-balaka militias between 2013 and mid-2017.

The rights group also interviewed 296 survivors of sexual slavery, 52 of them girls at the time of the attacks, as well as government officials, police, medical personnel and UN officials.

The cases represent the tip of an iceberg. Due to the stigma involved, victims and survivors are hesitant to report such attacks.

The rights group noted that most of the abuses broke CAR law and constituted war crimes and, in some cases, crimes against humanity. But no one has reportedly been arrested or tried for the offences.

Survivors testified to being burned, whipped, tied up, threatened with death and raped by up to 10 or more men during a single incident.

The resulting injuries included smashed teeth, broken bones, internal injuries and head trauma.

The women and girls were also often raped in front of their children or other family members and were also forced to watch as their husbands and other male relatives were mutilated and killed.

Some of the victims were held as sex slaves for up to 18 months and forced to perform duties including cooking, cleaning and collecting food and water.

Many of the survivors suffered incapacitating physical injury and illness, including HIV, as well as suicidal thoughts and loss of livelihoods or access to education.